The campaign for the right to housing is gaining momentum at many different levels, and it remains top of mind for us here at Maytree.
At the federal level, amendments to Bill C-97 that would strengthen the rights-based approach in the National Housing Strategy Act are being considered. As part of this process, I spoke before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) on behalf of Maytree to discuss the amendments. If you’ve been following the developments, you can read our briefing, listen to the session, or get a quick overview of why this matters.
At the municipal level, Toronto has moved a step closer to realizing the right to housing. On May 14, Toronto City Councillors unanimously approved a motion to consider a rights-based approach to housing as part of the City’s next ten-year housing plan. Below, you’ll find our Engagement and Leadership Lead Effie Vlachoyannacos’ take on what a right to housing framework would mean for the City.
I’m also delighted to share the news of the launch of Making the Shift (MtS), a Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab aiming to transform the way we respond to youth homelessness in Canada. As Chair of the Board, I was honoured to convene the first meeting for the initiative last week. It is our hope that this Network of Centres of Excellence, which is co-led by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness at York University and A Way Home Canada, will build the knowledge and evidence base needed to support the shift from crisis intervention to homelessness prevention and housing stabilization.
Also in this issue, you’ll find a new Maytree report on the challenges faced by youth in and from care in Ontario in fulfilling their right to education. And with Sidewalk Toronto moving forward in designing a smart city model, we put together five ideas on how the project can contribute to inclusion in Toronto.
Thank you for continuing to engage with our work.
Elizabeth McIsaac
President, Maytree
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Five good ideas on how Sidewalk Toronto can contribute to inclusion in the city
Sidewalk Toronto has an opportunity to create an equitable and inclusive model of city-building for the future. Alan Broadbent and Elizabeth McIsaac offer five ideas on how the project can do that. Read the opinion
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Youth in and from care in Ontario and the right to education: Current context and recommendations
Youth in and from care in Ontario face systemic barriers to realizing their right to education. Our new report examines these challenges and offers recommendations for the Ontario government in supporting youth in and from care on their educational paths. Read the report
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Be bold, Toronto. Commit to realizing the right to housing.
Toronto has an opportunity to commit to realizing the right to housing in its next ten-year housing plan. It’s an opportunity too important to miss. Read the story
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The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights
The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights is a four-part radio documentary series produced by Jazz.FM91 and funded by Maytree. Each episode focuses on the role of jazz in the fight for human rights: civil rights, economic rights, women’s rights, and the culture wars of the Cold War era. Learn more and listen
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Five Good Ideas for building strong teams
Naki Osutei, Associate Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement (Global Corporate Citizenship) at TD talks about her ideas for building teams that deliver projects and uplift people. Watch the session
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Congratulations to Social Planning Toronto's Frances Lankin Award recipients for 2019
Every year, Social Planning Toronto honours extraordinary individuals who inspire and connect. This year’s recipients include Victor Willis, Executive Director of the Parkdale-Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), and Anjum Sultana, Manager of Policy and Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada and Maytree Policy School participant. Learn more
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HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan – public questionnaire now available
The City of Toronto is asking Torontonians for their ideas and input to shape the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. The Plan aims to ensure that the City is taking actions to advance a housing landscape that works for all Torontonians. Complete the questionnaire
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Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust protects at-risk rooming house
The Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust has acquired a 15-unit rooming house as part of its efforts to protect affordable housing stock. The acquisition will be the first affordable rooming house in Toronto to be owned by a community land trust guaranteeing affordable rents for 99 years. Learn more | Read the media release
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Ontario Place for All – July 8
Park People will be hosting an evening with New York-based John H. Alschuler of HR&A Advisors on the merits of protecting unique urban assets like Ontario Place as truly public spaces.The event will be held at 401 Richmond Street West (Rooftop) on Monday, July 8 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets
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Broadbent Institute releases report on big data and criminal justice
The new report outlines the meaning of the term big data, and examines how big data is used in the context of criminal justice in Canada and beyond. Read the report
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